Cricket: BBC resolve Test match special rights with Indian television bosses

The BBC has resolved a dispute to allow it to broadcast from venues during England’s upcoming Test series in India.

The BBC has resolved a dispute to allow it to broadcast from venues during England’s upcoming Test series in India.

There were fears that the BBC, and Sky television, would be locked out of stadiums for the four-Test series following an impasse in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

It is understood that the BCCI had requested additional payment to cover costs of facilitating their productions during the four-Test series, which begins in Ahmedabad on November 15.

While a Sky deal remains unlikely, it was considered essential for the BBC’s flagship Test Match Special programme to be present at matches.

The BBC have not commented on reports that a fee of £50,000 had been demanded by the BCCI, but confirmed to Press Association Sport that a deal had been concluded.

“We are pleased to confirm that Test Match Special will broadcast England’s cricket tour of India from the grounds after agreement was reached with all parties,” a spokesman said.

While a BBC deal has been brokered it is understood that Sky – who were faced with a reported addition bill of £500,000 – are preparing to broadcast commentary from their Isleworth studios using pictures from the BCCI’s commercial partners Star TV.

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